Sharapova Withdraws From US Open

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 22nd August 2013

Sharapova Withdraws From US Open

epa03758135 Maria Sharapova of Russia returns to Kristina Mladenovic of France during their first round match for the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 24 June 2013. EPA/GERRY PENNY |

After an eventful, and some would say bizarre, week in the life of Maria Sharapova came the sad news that the world no.3 and 2006 US Open champion has been forced to withdraw from this year’s event because of inflammation in her long problematical right shoulder.

The formal description of Sharapova’s reason for withdrawal was cited as right shoulder bursitis and worryingly she was ruled out of competition for nine months after shoulder surgery in 2008. Since losing early at Wimbledon eight weeks ago, she has only been able to play one match, suffering defeat to Sloane Stephens in the opening round of the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati last week

“I’ve done everything I could since Wimbledon to get myself ready but it just wasn’t enough time,” said Sharapova, breaking the news of her non-participation in New York next week on her Facebook page.

“I have done many tests, received several opinions and it all comes down to taking the proper amount of time to heal my shoulder injury properly.”

The four-time Grand Slam champion, who withdrew from tournaments in Stanford and Toronto but ignored advice not to play Cincinnati, added: “It’s certainly not an easy decision to make ahead of one of my favorite tournaments, but I know it’s the right one that will get me back on the courts soon.

“I plan on taking the next few weeks off, receiving proper treatment and rehabilitation.”

Sharapova’s announcement came after she practiced on the Arthur Ashe Stadium at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center under the watchful gaze of her father Yuri who temporarily stepped back into coaching duties after the firing of Jimmy Connors last week.

Photographs of the session showed her attempting to serve, but apparently the pain was too great to think she could compete. It is understood she could not practice her serve at all for much of her brief liaison with Connors.

According to her IMG agent Max Eisenbud, Sharapova has been suffering from pain in her shoulder since before the French Open, and it is understood that she had injections to try to resolve the problem.

According to one source, at least one of them was said to be a cortisone shot; the others may have been PRP (platelet rich plasma), which is said to use a portion of the patient’s own blood to promote healing of injured tendons.

Sharapova’s withdrawal will see all the players seeded below her move up a slot, Agnieszka Radwanska becoming third seed with Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova now seeded 32nd.

Tournament director David Brewer said: “We wish her a speedy recovery and look forward to her return to New York next year.”